287,677377 


Historical  Sketch  of  the  Olney 


First  Methodist  Epis.  Church 


IlllNOfS  RKTWIL  SlIRYEY 


287,677377 
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RICAL  SKETCH 


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OLNEY,  ILLINOIS 


FIRST  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 
Erected  1908-1909 


Historical  Sketch 


of  the 


First  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church 


of 


Olney,  Illinois 


1841-1909 


Authorized  by  the  Official  Board 
Compiled  from  official  records 

COMMITTEE 

Mrs.  Kate  Morrison 

Roxana  Johnston 

Eudora  Ratclifre 


THE  OLD  LOG  CHURCH 

The  Church 

By  Mrs.  Kate  Morrison,  from  Church  Records 

JHE    history  of    Methodism    in    Olney    is    co-existent    with    the    history 

T\\  of  Richland  County.  This  county  was  formed  in  1841,  of  parts  of 
u  Lawerence  and  Clay  counties,  and  the  county  seat  was  located  at 
Olney.  At  that  time  there  were  only  three  families  living  within  the 
bounds  of  the  little  village.  These  were  the  families  of  Hiram  Barney, 
William  Elliott  and  Thomas  Lilly.  Mr.  Barney's  family  were  members 
of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  occasionally  an  itinerant  Methodist  preacher  would,  while 
passing  through  the  place,  hold  religious  services  at  their  home,  a  small  log  cabin  which 
stood  where  the  Commercial  Hotel,  now  the  The  New  Olney,  is  located.  .Not  many 
months  after  the  location  of  the  county  seat,  another  Methodist  family  moved  into  the 
village,  and  in  the  fall  of  1841,  these  Methodists  organized  a  class  at  the  home  of  Mr. 
Barney.  There  was  at  that  time  no  building  for  either  church  or  school  purposes  in  the 
limits  of  the  village. 

This  place  was  included  in  what  was  then  known  as  Vandalia  district,  Maysville 
Circuit.  Rev.  Jacob  E.  Reed  was  preacher  in  charge,  and  Rev.  Barton  Randal,  presiding 
elder.  Regular  services  were  held  every  four  weeks  at  the  cabin  home  of  Father  West, 
near  what  is  now  the  village  of  Claremont,  also  at  Maysville,  just  south  of  Clay  City. 
Occasionally  the  circuit  preacher  would  call  a  meeting  and  hold  services  at  the  home 
of  Richard  Phillips,  at  what  is  now  known  as  McsBurg. 

There  was  glorious  out-pouring  of  God's  spirit  at  those  meetings.  But  few,  if 
any,  of  those  old  soldiers  of  the  Cross  are  now  living.  At  one  time  a  two  days'  meeting 
was  being  held  at  Brother  Phillips'  home,  when  deep  interest  was  manifested  and  many 


6  HISTORICAL  SKETCH 

were  converted.  The  meeting  was  prolonged  for  several  days.  One  afternoon  a  number 
of  young  people  assembled  in  the  woods  nearby  to  hold  a  prayer  meeting.  They  sang 
and  prayed  and  shouted  "The  Holy  Spirit  came  down  their  souls  to  greet,  and  glory 
crowned  the  Mercy  seat."  The  woods  rang  with  shouts  of  praise  to  God,  and  the  people 
all  .came  running  to  join  in  the  chorus.  The  result  was  the  conversion  of  many  souls, 
among  whom  were  William  McWilliams  and  Thomas  Phillips  and  others  who  are  still 
in  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  peace  they  then  received. 

The  first  Methodist  Society  organized  in  Olney  was  composed  of  William  H.  Reed 
and  wife,  Scott  Thrapp  and  wife,  Nelson  D.  Jay  and  wife,  Jonas  Notestine  and  wife, 
Morris  B.  Snyder  and  wife,  and  one  probationer,  George  I.  Butler.  William  Reed  was 
a  carpenter  and  cabinet  maker,  a  very  devoted  Methodist,  being  the  son  of  a  Methodist 
preacher.  Scott  Thrapp  was  the  owner  of  a  saw-mill  on  Fox  River,  a  local  preacher  of 
some  ability,  a  very  eccentric  genius,  jjeculiar  in  many  ways,  but  a  very  solid  Methodist. 
Nelson  D.  Jay  was  a  tailor,  a  man  of  considerable  talent  and  quite  active  in  church  work, 
who  was  afterwards  made  a  local  preacher.  Jonas  Notestine  was  a  tanner  and  lived  in 
the  country  at  that  time,  but  later  moved  to  Olney,  where  he  and  his  brother,  Levi  Notestine, 
also  a  Methodist,  bought  what  wTas  known  as  Stout's  tannery.  He  was  known  from  that 
time  as  the  "wheel  horse"  of  Methodism  in  Olney.  Morris  B.  Snyder  was  for  many  years 
clerk  of  the  Court  and  a  local  preacher,  being  a  very  devoted  Christian.  George  Butler 
was  a  blacksmith,  a  man  of  much  intelligence  and  considerable  education.  His  eldest 
son  became  a  Methodist  preacher  and  was  for  a  time  a  member  of  the  Southern  Illinois 
Conference. 

In  1842  Richland  Circuit  was  formed  and  attached  to  Mt.  Carmel  district.  Rev. 
John  Fox  was  appointed  preacher  in  charge;  Rev.  Barton  Randal,  presiding  elder. 
Regular  services  were  held  at  Olney,  McsBurg,  Fairview  and  occasionally  at  other  points 
within  the  circuit.  The  only  meeting  place  in  Olney  was  the  home  of  Hiram  Barney. 
In  the  fall  of  that  year  the  county  commissioners  made  a  proposition  to  the  Methodist 
Brethren  that  if  they  would  put  up  a  building  suitable  for  church  and  school  purposes, 
and  permit  the  county  to  use  it  for  a  courthouse,  until  such  time  as  a  courthouse  could 
be  built,  and  permit  the  use  of  the  house  for  school  purposes  until  the  public  could  build 
a  school  house,  the  county  would  give  the  Church  the  ground  in  fee  simple.  The  proposi- 
tion was  accepted  and  in  a  few  days  labor,  nails,  glass  and  timber  were  subscribed  to  build 
the  house.  No  money  was  asked  for,  or  needed.  In  a  short  time  the  building,  a  log  house, 
20  x  20  feet,  was  completed  and  ready  for  occupancy.  It  was  considered  an  excellent 
improvement.  The  County  only  occupied  it  for  one  term  of  court,  but  it  was  used  for 
church  and  school  purposes  for  many  years.  Morris  B.  Snyder  was  commissioned  by  the 
County  to  make  the  deed  for  the  land,  and  it  being  necessary  to  have  trustees,  James 
Urie,  Jonas  Nolestine,  Wrilliam  H.  Reed,  Nelson  D.  Jay  and  Rev.  William  Rogers  were 
elected  and  constituted  the  first  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  new  church.  On  the  21st  of 
January,  1843,  the  deed  was  made  and  delivered.  In  1843  the  annual  conference  apjx)irited 
Rev.  William  Royal,  pastor  of  Richland  Circuit,  and  Rev.  Barton  Randal,  presiding  elder. 
The  church  continued  to  prosper  as  other  Methodist  families  moved  to  Olney,  and  a  few 
joined  on  probation.  In  1844,  McKendree  Thrapp  was  appointed  preacher  in  charge 
of  the  circuit,  and  Rev.  John  VanCleve,  presiding  elder. 

In  the  winter  of  1844—5  a  wonderful  revival  occurred  which  seemed  to  premeate 
every  part  of  the  community.  The  house  was  crowded  to  overflowing  from  day  to  day 
and  the  meeting  continued  for  over  two  months,  resulting  in  about  one  hundred  conversions. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Ratcliff  united  with  the  church  at  this  time.  In  1845  our  {icople 
thought  they  had  grown  strong  enough  to  stand  alone,  and  were  struck  off  by  the  Con 
ference  and  made  a  Mission,  with  $75.00  per  year  allowance  from  the  Home  Missionary 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  7 

Society.  Rev.  Ephraim  Joy  was  appointed  to  the  Mission,  Rev.  John  Van  Cleve,  presid- 
ing elder.  In  1846  Rev.  Austin  Rogers  was  pastor;  Rev.  John  Van  Cleve,  presidng  elder. 
The  society  had  a  steady  and  healthy  growth,  but  no  special  revivals.  In  1847  Rev.  R. 
J.  Nail  was  preacher  in  charge,  Rev.  W.  H.  Taylor,  presiding  elder.  1848  Rev.  John 
Gillham,  preacher  in  charge;  W.  H.  Taylor,  presiding  elder.  A  parsonage  was  built  in 
that  year.  1849  John  Adams,  preacher  in  charge;  C.  I^ambert,  assistant.  1850  A. 
Campbell,  pastor;  Norman  Allen,  presiding  elder.  1851  Moses  Sheperd,  pastor;  Norman 
Allen,  presiding  elder.  The  Southern  Illinois  Conference  wasjWganized  that  year.  1852 
John  Sheperd,  pastor;  Norman  Allen,  presiding  elder;J  local  preachers,  Scott  Thrapp 
and  Nelson  D.  Jay. 


JOHN  H.  GUNN 

The  log  church  had  become  so  dilapidated  by  this  time  as  to  be  untenable,  therefore 
meetings  were  held  for  a  time  in  an  old  two  story  building  on  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Mulberry  Streets,  and  later  the  use  of  the  courthouse  was  obtained  for  church  and  Sunday 
school  purposes.  The  Society  decided  to  make  an  effort  to  build  a  new  church,  and  on 
the  17th  day  of  May  a  meeting  was  called  to  elect  a  new  board  of  trustees  according 
to  the  laws  of  the  State.  The  pastor,  Rev.  John  Sheperd,  was  chairman,  and  Jacob 
Hoffman,  secretary;  and  the  meeting  resulted  in  the  election  of  Jonas  Nolestine,  Levi 
Notestine,  R.  13.  Marney,  Hiram  Barney,  Michael  Stauffer,  G.  W.  Carrothers,  C.  M. 
Hoover,  Jacob  Hoffman  and  John  H.  Gunn.  The  board  organized  by  electing  John 
H.  Gunn,  chairman,  and  Jacob  Hoffman,  secretary.  At  this  same  meeting  steps  were 
taken  to  secure  a  lot  for  the  church  and  to  procure  subscriptions,  and  then  the  question 
arose  as  to  size  and  expenses  of  the  building.  Some  were  in  favor  of  forty  by  sixty  feet; 
others  thirty-five  by  fifty  feet,  and  in  order  to  test  the  matter  two  subscription  papers 
were  circulated  among  the  people,  one  favoring  each  size.  On  the  13th  of  January, 
1853,  a  decision  was  reached  to  build  the  church,  forty  by  sixty  feet,  to  thirty  feet  high, 


FIRST  METHODIST  CHURCH 
(Old  Building) 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  9 

with  basement  rooms  for  school  purposes.  G.  W.  Carrothers,  Jacob  Hoffman  and  John 
H.  Gunn  were  appointed  a  committee  on  building.  They  were  instructed  to  visit  Mt. 
Cannel  to  inspect  the  new  church  at  that  place,  in  order  to  aid  them  in  deciding  on  plans. 
Hon.  Alfred  Kitchell  donated  a  lot  sufficient  for  the  church  and  parsonage,  and  was  very 
liberal  in  other  donations.  July  1,  1854,  the  committee,  assisted  by  George  Lutz,  presented 
their  plans  and  specifications  for  the  building,  which  were  accepted. 

In  1855  Rev.  J.  T.  Johnson  was  pastor  and  Rev.  Norman  Allen,  presiding  elder. 
This  was  a  prosperous  year.  During  the  winter  a  protracted  meeting  was  held  in  the 
courthouse  by  Rev.  Johnson,  assisted  by  Rev.  John  Seed,  of  Lawrenceville,  which  was 
prolonged  for  many  days,  and  was  far-reaching  in  its  results.  There  were  many  conversions 
and  additions  of  those  who  became  life-long  workers  for  the  interests  of  the  church,  and 
many  years  afterwards  "the  revival  at  the  courthouse"  was  spoken  of  by  those  who  dated 
their  experience  of  conversion  and  the  beginning  of  a  new  life  from  that  happy  time. 

In  1854  J.  W.  Miller  was  pastor  and  Rev.  William  Cliffe,  presiding  elder.  The  plans 
for  the  new  church  were  well  on  the  way,  and  were  pushed  with  vigor.  The  next  year 
both  pastor  and  elder  were  returned,  and  it  was  chiefly  by  their  efforts  that  the  Olney 
Seminary  was  organized  in  connection  with  the  church  and  started  in  the  two  story  building 
on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Mulberry  streets,  and  was  afterwards  transferred  to  the  base- 
ment of  the  new  church.  Rev.  Nelson  Hawley  took  charge  of  the  seminary  the  first  year. 
In  1856  Rev.  Nelson  Hawley  was  appointed  pastor,  and  Rev.  William  Cliffe,  presiding 
elder.  The  church  and  Sunday  school  prospered,  and  one  of  the  best  revivals  ever  held 
in  Olney  was  held  in  the  new  church  basement. 

In  1857  both  pastor  and  elder  were  returned.  The  basement  rooms  were  fully 
finished  and  furnished  and  occupied  by  the  Olney  Seminary.  Prof.  D.  Holmes,  of  New 
York,  was  appointed  general  su{>erintendent.  The  church  building  was  pushed  as  rapidly 
as  possible,  but  collection  on  subscriptions  was  slow,  and  often  the  same  people  would 
subscribe  again.  It  was  necessary  for  the  trustees  to  borrow  money,  and  when 
the  interest  became  due  they  were  forced  to  pay  it  themselves.  This  became  so  bur- 
densome that  it  was  often  difficult  to  secure  a  quorum  at  their  meetings.  The  building 
was  so  far  completed  that  meetings  were  held  in  the  main  audience  room  on  social  occasions 
during  the  winter.  Bishop  Simpson,  passing  from  St.  Louis  to  Cincinnati,  stopped  with 
us  over  night  and  preached  for  us. 

1858  Rev.  A.  B.  Nesbit,  pastor;  Rev.  R.  J.  Nail,  presiding  elder.  Local  preachers 
were  J.  W.  Phillips,  George  D.  Morrison,  A.  W.  Mace,  Jas.  W.  Wharf,  W.  H.  Cain, 
G.  W.  Thomas.  In  this  year  our  church  was  dedicated,  Rev.  Battel,  a  presiding  elder 
from  Ijouisville,  Ky.,  preaching  the  dedication  sermon.  About  this  time  trouble  arose 
about  the  singing,  some  of  the  members  desiring  to  improve  the  singing  by  the  introduction 
of  notes,  while  others  were  strongly  opposed  to  the  change.  The  pastor  appointed  two 
brethren  to  lead  the  singing,  which  angered  the  opposition  and  the  situation  became 
extremely  unpleasant.  The  church  was  divided  into  two  factions.  In  1859,  Conference 
appointedH.  Chapman,  pastor;  but  in  trying  to  please  both  sides  he  made  the  matters 
worse,  and  after  a  few  months  service,  left  the  pulpit.  Win.  H.  Cain  was  appointed  to 
fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  his  resignation,  for  the  rest  of  the  conference  year,  and  was 
greatly  assisted  by  Dr.  J.  W.  Phillips. 

In  1861  Norman  Allen  was  pastor  and  A.  B.  Nesbit,  presiding  elder.  Notwith- 
standing the  trouble  in  regard  to  the  music  we  had  a  glorious  revival  that  winter;  fifty- 
five  were  taken  in  on  probation  and  eight  by  letter.  A  choir  was  organized  and  much 
of  the  ill-feeling  had  been  allayed,  but  it  was  not  without  considerable  opposition  that 
note  books  were  introduced.  In  August  of  this  year  the  church  steeple  was  struck  by 
lightning  and  badly  damaged.  1861,  conference  appointed  Rev.  John  Glaze,  pastor; 


10  HISTORICAL  SKETCH 

and  returned  Rev.  A.  B.  Nesbit  for  presiding  elder.  The  pastor  being  in  poor  health 
and  the  excitement  of  the  Civil  War  causing  great  trouble  among  the  people,  work  was 
interfered  with  and  but  little  progress  made.  At  the  fourth  quarterly  conference  this 
year  Arthur  Morrison,  afterwards  superintendent  of  Missions  in  New  Mexico,  was  licensed 
to. preach. 

1862  Rev.  Carlyle  Babbitt  was  pastor  and  Rev.  A.  B.  Nesbit,  presiding  elder. 
There  was  much  trouble  in  our  midst  on  account  of  the  war,  and  the  church  suffered 
greatly.  1863  Rev.  Joseph  Hough,  pastor  and  Rev.  A.  B.  Nesbit,  presiding  elder.  1864 
Rev.  Hough  was  returned  and  Rev.  Nelson  Hawley  was  appointed  presiding  elder.  1865 
our  church  subscribed  and  paid  $200  for  the  support  of  the  soldiers  in  our  vicinity;  a 
company  of  cavalry  having  been  stationed  here  for  the  protection  of  the  town.  At  this 
time  the  work  of  building  a  parsonage  was  commenced,  and  a  committee  was  appointed 
for  the  purpose.  Annual  conference  was  held  here  this  year,  Bishop  Scott  presiding, 
Philip  Phillips  conducted  the  singing.  Rev.  T.  F.  Houts  was  appointed  pastor, 
Rev.  N.  Hawley,  presiding  elder.  During  this  year  the  pastor  reported  large  congrega- 
tions and  much  interest  manifested.  Near  the  close  of  the  year  a  very  interesting  protracted 
meeting  was  held,  with  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  accessions  on  probation,  and 
five  by  letter. 

The  parsonage  was  finished  in  1866  and  occupied  by  T.  F.  Houts  and  family, 
as  he  was  returned  to  us  as  pastor.  Rev.  Nelson  Hawley  was  appointed  presiding  elder, 
and  Rolla  Fahs  was  licensed  to  preach.  In  1867  the  jiastor  and  presiding  elder  were 
returned.  A  revival  was  held  in  February  of  that  year,  resulting  in  thirty-three  probatiorers 
and  eight  by  letter.  The  pastor  was  in  very  poor  health  most  of  the  time  during  the  year, 
seldom  able  to  preach,  and  his  place  was  filled  by  Dr.  J.  W.  Phillips.  Brother  John 
Reef  was  licensed  to  preach.  This  year  the  church  was  reported  clear  of  debt.  Brother 
William  Whitaker  received  in  full  connection  and  licensed  to  preach. 

In  February,  1868,  a  glorious  revival  was  held;  thirty  being  received  on  probation. 
J.  W.  Palmeteer  licensed  to  preach.  The  pastor,  T.  F.  Houts,  presented  his  formal 
resignation  on  account  of  ill  health,  but  it  was  not  accepted  until  some  time  afterwards, 
although  he  was  relieved  from  work,  and  Dr.  J.  W.  Phillips  employed  for  the  remainder 
of  the  year.  In  1869  Rev.  Joseph  Earp  was  pastor  and  Rev.  Ephraim  Joy,  presiding  elder. 
This  year  the  Lay  representation  to  annual  conference  was  decided  upon.  At  the  fourth 
quarterly  conference  G.  D.  Morrison  was  recommended  for  traveling  connection  in  annual 
conference. 

In  1870  Pastor  C.  J.  Houts  and  Presiding  Elder  Rev.  Ephraim  Joy  were  appointed. 
Again  falling  behind  in  finances  the  deficiency  was  found  to  be  about  $600.  Brother 
Edmund  Root  was  recommended  for  Deacon's  orders;  George  D.  Morrison  for  elder's 
orders,  J.  H.  Gunn  elected  to  electoral  conference  at  Centralia.  In  1871  John  Van  Cleve 
was  pastor  and  Ephraim  Joy  presiding  elder.  The  first  quarterly  conference  adopted 
the  envelope  system  for  pastor's  salary  and  contingent  fund.  Harry  Stauffer  was  appointed 
secretary  and  treasurer.  The  presiding  elder's  claim  to  be  raised  in  congregation  independ- 
ent of  envelopes,  but  at  third  quarterly  conference  it  was  decided  to  include  the  presiding 
elder's  claim  in  the  envelop  system. 

In  1872  Dr.  John  Van  Cleve  was  pastor  and  J,  A.  Robinson,  presiding  elder. 
Motion  carried  to  recommend  organization  of  District  Conference.  Motion  made  and 
carried  to  read  in  quarterly  love  feast  the  names  of  jiersons  paying  nothing  for  the  support 
of  the  church,  but  this  motion  was  afterwards  rescinded.  In  1873  J.  N.  Phillips  was  pastor 
and  J.  A.  Robinson,  presiding  elder.  Brothers  G.  A.  Seed  and  Gotleib  Eggler  licensed 
to  exhort.  A  committee  was  authorized  to  contract  for  improvements  on  the  church  by 
building  a  front  with  vestibule  and  stairway,  and  such  other  repairs  as  might  be  needed. 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  11 

At  fourth  quarterly  conference  the  pastor  reported  a  prosjierous  year.  The  improvements 
were  completed  with  an  indebtedness  of  $1500.  Quarterly  conference  by  unanimous 
vote  requested  the  return  of  Brother  Phillips.  In  1874  same  pastor  and  presiding  elder. 
The  first  quarterly  conference  committee  appointed  to  borrow  $1500,  securing  the  same 
by  mortgage  on  parsonage.  The  fourth  quarterly  conference  reports  total  membership 
as  being  four  hundred  and  twenty-eight.  J.  H.  Gunn  was  elected  as  a  delegate  to  annual 
conference  and  also  to  general  conference. 

In  1875  J.  W.  Lane  was  pastor  and  J.  A.  Robinson,  presiding  elder.  Fourth 
quarterly  conference  1876;  resolution  of  faithful  work  by  presiding  elder,  J.  A.  Robinson. 
Requested  the  return  of  J.  W.  Lane.  1878,  pulpit  filled  by  Dr.  Locke,  of  Ijebanon. 
Miss  Mary  Phillips  and  C.  H.  Sherburn  licensed  to  preach.  In  1879  T.  F.  Houts  was 
pastor  and  J.  Leeper,  presiding  elder.  A.  W.  Mace  and  Mrs.  Mary  Longwood  licensed 
to  preach.  1880,  conference  requested  to  return  to  us  T.  F.  Houts,  which  was  not  granted. 
Appointed  Rev.  William  Wallace  as  pastor,  and  O.  H.  Clark  as  presiding  elder.  For  1881 
Rev.  J.  Wm.  Van  Cleve  as  pastor  and  O.  H.  Clark  as  presiding  elder.  Second  quarterly 
conference  reported  quarterly  meeting  just  closed,  resulting  in  one  hundred  and  nineteen 
on  probation  and  twenty  by  letter.  1883,  J.  William  Van  Cleve  as  pastor  and  O.  H. 
Clark  as  presiding  elder.  J.  H.  Gunn  confirmed  as  Sunday  school  superintendent.  1884- 
1885,  N.  B.  Cooksey,  pastor;  Milo  Powers,  presiding  elder.  1886-1887-1888-1889, 
B.  F.  Pierce,  pastor;  Rev.  Milo  Powers,  presiding  elder.  The  pastor  reports,  "Sunday 
school  doing  well;  teachers'  meetings,  prayer  and  class  meetings  are  well  attended; 
the  congregation  large  and  devotional.  There  have  been  some  marked  conversions, 
thirty  have  united  with  the  church  during  the  quarter.  The  Pastor  and  Ladies'  Aid 
Society  have  rendered  very  efficient  help  in  the  pastoral  work.", 

In  1890  Joseph  W.  Van  Cleve  was  pastor  and  M.  N.  Powers,  presiding  elder. 
That  winter  many  young  people  were  converted.  1891-1892,  Joseph  W.  Van  Cleve, 
pastor;  Rev.  Wm.  Van  Cleve,  presiding  elder.  The  pastor  was  authorized  to  raise  $600 
to  re-roof  the  church  and  pay  off  indebtedness.  During  the  fourth  quarter  of  1891  services 
were  held  in  the  Congregational  Church  while  our  Church  was  being  repaired.  In  1892 
special  revival  services  were  held  by  S.  A.  Keen,  resulting  in  great  spiritual  good  and 
corresponding  profit  to  the  church.  1893,  C.  Nash,  pastor;  Wm.  Van  Cleve,  presiding 
elder.  1894-1985,  C.  Nash,  pastor;  Wm.  Wallis,  presiding  elder.  W.  N.  Gray  was  elected 
representative  class  leader  to  district  conference.  1896,  C.  Nash,  pastor;  W7m.  Wallis, 
presiding  elder.  Approved  as  Sunday  school  superintendent,  N.  L.  Crout.  1897,  1898, 
1899,  J.  G.  Harmon,  pastor;  Wm.  Wfallis,  presiding  elder.  Committee  appointed  to  draft 
resolutions  commending  the  faithful  work  of  the  pastor  and  presiding  elder. 

In  1900  J.  W.  Cummins  was  pastor  and  F.  W.  Loy,  presiding  elder!  For  the  first 
time  in  many  years  all  claims  were  paid,  and  a  balance  left  in  the  treasury  at  first  quarterly 
conference.  Fourth  quarterly  conference  the  pastor  reported  seventy-three  admitted  to 
membership  during  the  year.  1901,  J.  W.  Cummins,  pastor;  F.  W.  Loy,  presiding  elder. 
The  church  suffered  a  great  loss  this  year  in  the  death  of  Brother  Edward  Shaw,  who 
had  for  many  years  been  a  most  efficient  leader  of  the  choir,  and  was  beloved  by  everyone 
for  his  excellent  character  and  deportment  as  a  business  man  and  a  Christian. 

1902-1903-1904-1905,  pastor,  J.  W.  Cummins;  presiding  elder,  F.  W.  Loy.  During 
the  year  1903  the  erection  of  a  two  story  frame  parsonage  costing,  when  completed,  about 
$3,000.00,  was  commenced  under  the  direction  of  a  building  committee  composed  of 
O.  M.  Conklin,  N.  L.  Crout,  Mrs.  A.  L.  Redman,  Mrs.  J.  F.  Jolly  and  H.  B.  Alley.  It 
was  erected  on  a  lot  on  Fair  street,  purchased  and  donated  by  "The  Ladies'  Guild."  The 
old  parsonage  was  sold  for  $800,  which  amount  was  used  in  the  building  of  the  new  parson- 
age. The  remainder  of  the  money  required  was  given  by  about  one  hundred  persons, 


12 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH 


giving  from  fifty  cents  to  fifty  dollars  each.  The  new  parsonage,  when  completed,  was 
occupied  by  J.  W.  Cummins  and  family.  About  this  time  The  Guild  purchased  as  a 
site  for  a  church  the  corner  of  Fair  and  Elm  streets,  paying  $1800  for  the  same. 

After  serving  the  church  faithfully  for  six  years,  being  the  longest  time  our  puplit 
was  ever  filled  by  one  minister,  Brother  Cummins  was  appointed  by  conference  to  Mt. 
Carniel,  whither  he  went  followed  by  the  love,  prayers  and  blessings  of  the  entire  member- 
ship. During  his  pastorate  the  church  experienced  great  prosperity  both  spiritually  and 
financially. 

1906-1907,  pastor,  T.  E.  Sisson;  presiding  elder,  S.  A.  D.  Rogers.  On  or  about 
the  2nd  day  of  March,  1907,  it  was  decided  to  begin  to  build  a  new  church,  and  the  follow- 
ing committees  were  appointed :  Building — G.  D.  Blanker,  K.  D.  Horrall,  E.  C.  Baughman , 
M.  D.  Foster,  B.  S.  Murray.  Advisory — Mrs.  J.  E.  Phillips,  Mrs.  .A.  L.  Redman,  Mrs. 
J.  C.  Page,  Mrs.  H.  C.  Falconer,  and  Mrs.  O.  M.  Conklin.  Ways  and  Means — N.  L. 
Crout,  J.  S.  Wright,  A.  Knoph,  H.  T.  Dewhirst,  C.  N.  Edmiston,  Mrs.  J.  F.  Jolly,  Mrs. 
T.  A.  Fritchey,  Mrs.  D.  P.  Moore,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Winans  and  Miss  Dora  Ratclift'e. 

1907-1908,  j>astor,  Robert  Morris;  presiding  elder,  S.  A.  D.  Rogers;  Miss  Etta 
Mae  Powell,  employed  as  deaconess.  Second  quarterly  conference  Bullard  &  Billiard, 
of  Springfield,  111.,  were  employed  to  prepare  plans  for  the  new  church.  N.  L.  Crout 
and  A.  T.  Telford  were  added  to  the  building  committee.  This  quarter  records  the  pass- 
ing away  of  two  prominent  pioneer  members,  Brothers  John  H.Gunn  and  William  N.Gray. 
They  were  intimately  connected  with  the  early  church  and  had  served  their  genera- 
tion long  and  well.  Brother  Gray  was  a  popular  class  leader  and  mast  faithful  worker, 

having  filled  many  places  of  honor  and  trust  in 
the  church.  Brother  Gunn  served  the  church 
in  many  official  places,  and  was  for  a  long 
term  of  years  a  most  efficient  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school.  He  was  appointed 
Historian  of  the  Church,  and  it  is  to  his  man- 
uscript that  we  are  largely  indebted  for  the 
facts  of  this  little  history.  Much  of  it  has 
been  taken  verbatim  from  his  writing. 

The  old  church  was  sold  to  Olney 
Lodge  No.  926  B.P.O.E.  for  $1250,  and  pn 
May  llth,  the  contract  was  let  to  F.  L.  Kraul 
to  build  a  new  church  on  the  corner  of  Elm 
and  Fair  streets.  The  corner  stone  was  laid 
by  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  Tuesday,  July 
28,  1908,  Rev.  Joseph  Van  Cleve,  a  former 
pastor,  delivering  the  address.  The  church 
was  complete  and  the  dedication  sermon 
preached  on  the  llth  day  of  April,  1909,  by 
Dr.  T.  C.  Hilt,  1).  I).  Our  new  church  is 
a  very  substantial  and  beautiful  structure, 
of  which  any  organization  might  well  l>c 
proud.  As  our  well  In-loved  and  highly  ap- 
preciated jKistor,  Brother  Morris,  has  just 
been  returned  to  us  by  the  annual  confer- 

G.  D.  BLANKER  cure,  \\-o  are  looking  forward    to   a    pleasant 

Chairman  Building  Committee  an,j  prnfjtable  year. 


14  HISTORICAL  SKETCH 

The  Sunday  School 

By  Eudora  Ratcliffe 

|  HE  first  organized  Sunday  School  in  Olney,  Illinois,  was  the  Methodist  in 

T\  \  the  winter  of  1842-1843,  the  time  when  the  little  log  church  was  built. 
ji  In  the  earliest  days  Jonas  Notestine  was  superintendent.  James  Urie, 
Thomas  and  Catherine  Ratcliffe  were  prominent  workers,  the  last 
named  having  been  primary  teacher  before  her  marriage.  No  records 
of  how  long  that  school  continued  are  available,  nor  any  until  a 
much  later  date. 

In  1860  G.  D.  Morrison  was  suj>erintendent.  Before  and  after  that  date  J.  H. 
Gunn  filled  that  office.  Robert  Marney  was  secretary  in  early  years,  but  the  exact  date 
is  unknown.  In  1863  we  find  from  Secretary  J.  M.  Price's  minutes,  there  was  a  well- 
organized  Sunday  School  with  a  corps  of  four  officers  and  sixteen  teachers,  and  an  average 
attendance  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  nine  for  that  year. 

March  1st,  1863,  the  School  was  resolved  into  an  auxiliary  to  the  Missionary 
Society  and  called  the  Sunday  School  Missionary  Society,  with  J.  H.  Gunn,  president; 
Rev.  G.  D.  Morrison,  vice-president;  J.  M.  Price,  secretary;  Rev.  C.  Babbitt,  treasurer. 
The  names  of  Wm.  Bower  and  Aden  Knoph  are  mentioned  several  times  as  secretaries 
pro  tern.  An  account  of  books  loaned  and  returned  shows  the  School  owned  a  library. 
Memorizing  Scripture  was  a  specialty,  more  than  two  thousand  verses  having  been  recited 
some  Sabbaths. 

The  number  of  women  who  attended  then  was  far  in  excess  of  the  men.  We  might 
attribute  that  to  the  unsettled  state  of  the  country,  because  of  the  Civil  War,  if  conditions 
had  not  remained  much  the  same  until  now  that  the  adult  bible  class  movement  has  become 
popular.  There  are  no  records  from  September  24th,  1876  (but  the  School  was  never 
disorganized),  when  officers,  teacher  and  scholars  names  are  given  to  the  number  of  three 
hundred  and  fifty.  May  22nd,  1882,  the  name  was  changed  to  Olney  Methodist  Episcopal 
Sunday  School,  and  a  constitution  was  adopted.  From  that  time  more  complete  records 
have  been  kept. 

If  we  were  to  undertake  to  pay  tribute  to  all  faithful  officers  and  teachers  of  our 
School  during  all  the  years  of  its  existence  it  would  make  a  volume  too  bulky  for  our  purpose. 
Their  names  are  in  the  histories  deposited  in  the  corner  stone  of  our  new  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  their  deeds  no  human  can  record.  Let  it  suffice  to  give  names 

of  superintendents:  Jonas  Notestine,  1842 ;  G.  D.  Morrison,  1860 ;  J.  H.  Gunn, 

1863 ,  1876-1884;  H.  J.  B.  Wright,  1885-1886;  D.  F.  Houser,  1887-1888;  G.  D. 

Slanker,  1888-1893;  John  Howe,  1894-1895;  C.  N.  Edmiston,  1895-1896;  N.  L.  Crout, 
1896-1909. 

Previous  to  February  17th,  1895,  records  show  the  School  convened  in  the  after- 
noon. At  that  time  it  was  changed  to  9:30  A.  M.  Since  its  organization  there  has  never 
been  a  time  when  we  need  feel  anything  but  pride  in  our  Sunday  School.  It  has  been 
good,  now  we  are  enjoying  one  of  the  better  times  and  hoping  and  striving  for  the  best. 
There  was  never  a  better  showing  than  now,  with  a  men's  class  numbering  eighty-five; 
a  women's  class  numbering  seventy-six;  a  primary  department  of  seventy;  officers  and 
teachers,  forty;  and  total  membership  of  about  five  hundred. 

The  use  of  the  Loyal  Army  system  of  keeping  records,  introduced  under  Mr. 
Grout's  superintendency,  has  inspired  prompt  and  faithful  attendance.  Every  year  numbers 
have  earned  diplomas,  to  which  a  seal  has  been  affixed  each  successive  year,  if  earned. 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHUKCH  15 

In  addition,  for  five  consecutive  years  of  faithfulness,  bibles  were  given,  many  receiving 
them.  Nineteen  scholars  continued  to  receive  seals  regularly  up  to  ten  years,  which  we 
consider  a  wonderful  record,  for  it  means  they  have  been  regular  in  attendance;  have 
studied  the  lessons,  and  given  an  offering,  thus  receiving  the  required  number  of  credits. 
The  tenth  year  each  of  those  nineteen  persons  were  given  a  beautiful  gold  pin  made  for 
such  a  purpose,  similar  to  college  class  pins.  That  system  is  still  in  use  and  records 
indicate  a  number  will  be  entitled  to  bibles  and  some  to  pins  at  the  close  of  this  year. 

A  feeling  of  sadness  prevailed  last  summer  when  our  superintendent,  N.  L.  Crout, 
moved  to  the  northwest  after  fifteen  years  of  faithful  and  successful  Sunday  School  work. 
To  him  belongs  the  honor,  largely,  of  the  best  School  up  to  the  present  time.  The  earnest 
zeal  shown  by  our  assistant  superintendent,  Dr.  J.  S.  Wright,  in  coming  to  our  rescue, 
indicates  who  will  be  the  natural  choice  of  the  Sunday  School  board  for  superintendent 
at  the  time  of  the  annual  election. 

The  following  yell  adopted  by  our  School  reveals  our  hopeful  outlook  for  the 
future: 

Illinois,  Illinois, 

My!  My!  My! 

Illinois,  Illinois, 

Dry!  Dry!  Dry! 

Illinois,  Illinois, 
When?  When?  When? 

Illinois,  Illinois, 

Nine-teen  Ten!! 

Beside  the  other  departments,  there  is  the  one  for  the  shut-ins,  those  who  for  any 
reason  cannot  attend  the  main  School.  This  was  organized  in  connection  with  our  School, 
January,  1897,  with  twenty-seven  members,  and  C.  N.  Edmiston,  superintendent.  From 
that  it  grew  under  different  officers  to  a  membership  of  one  hundred  and  seventeen. 
Many  of  the  members  have  entered  the  main  School  and  new  ones  gained,  leaving  a  member- 
ship of  eighty-four.  One  of  the  best  workers  in  the  Home  Department  for  a  number 
of  years  was  Mrs.  Henry  Alley,  as  secretary.  The  officers  at  this  time  are:  President, 
Mrs.  O.  M.  Conklin;  Secretary,  Mrs.  E.  F.  Ship]). 


N.  L.  CROUT 


16  HISTORICAL  SKETCH 

Primary  Department  of  the  Sunday 

School 

Mrs.    Hattie  Kitchell 

|E  have  not  been  able  to  find  accurate  record  and  date  of  the  first 
organization  of  the  Primary  Department,  but  think  it  was  some 
months  after  the  dedication  of  the  church.  As  memory  serves  Miss 
Lizzie  Carrothers,  now  Mrs.  Humes  Baker;  then  Miss  Mary  Spring, 
now  Mrs.  Thomas  Scott,  taught  the  little  ones.  As  the  class  grew 
larger  Mrs.  Hattie  Kitchell  and  Mrs.  Calvin  Scott  were  appointed. 
Afterwards  by  changes  in  classes  and  teachers  the  record  states  that  in  1874  Mrs.  Littel 
and  Miss  Mary  Jones  taught  the  class.  After  a  time,  date  not  found,  Mrs.  Hattie  Kitchell 
with  Miss  Ella  Nail  as  assistant,  were  placed  in  charge  of  the  class.  We  find  no  record 
of  the  changes  or  appointments  until  we  come  to  the  year  1885,  when,  at  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  Sunday  School  board,  Mrs.  Hattie  Kitchell  was  elected  Primary  Superintend- 
ent with  Miss  Lula  Cliffe,  now  Mrs.  M.  D.  Foster,  as  assistant,  and  at  this  date  are  still 
together  in  this  blessed  work. 

In  the  summer  of  1900  we  organized  our  "Cradle-Roll"  class  in  which  we  keep 
our  babies  until  they  are  three  years  old,  when  we  promote  them  to  the  Primary  proj>er; 
this  baby  class  is  a  great  pleasure  to  us.  They  have  their  regular  certificates  of  membership 
endorsed  by  teacher,  superintendent  and  pastor.  From  ten  to  twelve  years  of  age  the 
children  are  promoted  to  the  intermediate  department  of  the  school.  We  use  the  black- 
board and  picture  roll  illustrations — observe  the^ birthday  offering  and  the  children  feel 
it  quite  an  honor  to  sit  in  the  birthday  chair.  They  are  delighted  with  their  "Loyal  S. 
S.  Army"  certificates  of  merit,  by" which  a  number  have  earned  Bibles.  The  special  days 
in  our  course  are  observed  by  the  children,  and  each  Sabbath,  lesion  papers  are  distributed. 
All  through  the  years,  pastors,  superintendents  and  officers  of  the  school  kindly 
and  generously  furnished  the  needed  supplies,  and  have  been  helpful  in  every  possible 
way.  As  the  years  have  passed  our  dear  Heavenly  Father  has  taken  ?ome  of  our  little 
ones  to  be  at  home  with  Him,  but  the  greater  number  have  passed  into  the  Sunday  School 
proper,  and  very  many  into  Church  membership,  and  have  gone  out  in  different  avenues 
of  life  to  fill  useful  and  honorable  jiositions,  and  we  as  teachers  feel  it  a  great  privilege 
and  blessing  to  be  connected  with  this  department  of  our  Church.  Jesus  said, "Suffer 
little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

Number  of  scholars  in  Primary  class 70 

Numl>er  of  scholars  in  Cradle  roll. .  .  .23 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 


IT 


The  Choir 

By  Mrs.  James  F.   Phillips 

|  HE  first  historical  reference  to  Methodist  singing  is,  that  in  1850,  at 
a  meeting  held  at  the  home  of  Brother  Richard  Phillips,  "The  woods 
fairly  rang  with  Hymns  of  Praise." 

In  1853  some  of  the  Church  people  desired  to  improve  the 
singing  and  introduce  the  use  of  notes.  This  caused  great  dissatisfac- 
tion, and  was  the  beginning  of  a  "Musical  War,"  which  lasted  several 
years.  Those  favoring  the  introduction  of  note  books  were  Jonas  Notestine,  E.  W.  Ridgway, 
G.  D.  Morrison,  G.  W.  Can-others,  J.-T.  Shaw  and  John  H.  Gunn.  In  185fi  the  ill-feeling 
had  subsided  and  a  Choir  was  organized  with  Wm.  Robinson  as  leader.  He  was  followed 
by  Mr.  Bonticue,  then  J.  H.  Gunn. 

In  1875,  D.  L.  Edmiston  became  leader.  The  death  of 
this  dearly  beloved  leader  in  1887  was  a  severe  blow,  and  sad 
loss  to  the  Choir.  Mr.  J.  H.  Gunn  took  up  the  Work  laid 
down  by  "Brother  Dan"  and  acted  as  leader  until  we  had  re- 
covered enough  to  select  a  new  one. 

After  much  persuasion  Mr.  Ed  B.  Shaw  consented  to 
assume  the  responsibility.  He  was  unanimously  elected  and 
for  fourteen  years  was  a  most  efficient  choir  leader.  Un- 
selfish, a  personal  friend  of  each  member  of  his  choir,  and 
untiring  in  his  devotion  to  all  choir  interests,  he  won  the  sin- 
cere love  of  all.  At  his  death,  in  1901.  we  felt  we  could  hardly 
sustain  such  a  loss 'and  still  exist  as  a  choir,  but  his  oft  re- 
|>eated  remark.  "Don't  disband.  Fourteen  of  the  best  years 
of  my  life  are  in  that  choir,  and  it  is  the  best  monument 
I  shall  ever  have,"  held  us  together.  During  his  illness,  Mr.  Shaw  conferred  with  Mr. 
August  Buscfink  in  regard  to  choir  matters,  and  Mr.  Busefink  acted  as  leader  for  him. 

When  the  time  came  to  select  a  new  leader,  after  Mr.  Shaw's  death,  Mr.  Busefink 
was  the  natural  choice  of  the  choir.  He  was  selected  without  a  dissenting  voice,  and  served 
well  and  faithfully  for  three  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  felt  his  business 
cares  were  too  great  for. him  to  give  the  necessary  time  to  choir  work  and  he  resigned 
the  leadership.  After  a  few  months  our  choice  fell  upon  our  present  leader,  Mrs.  E.  B. 
Shaw.  What  more  fitting  and  more  beautiful  than  for  her  to  carry  on  the  work  so  dearly 
loved  by  her  husband. 

Her  objections  were  overcome,  and  she  was  finally  prevailed  upon  to  accept  the 
office.  In  January,  1905.  she  was  unanimously  elected  leader,  and  since  that  time  has 
filled  the  position  so  exceptionally  well,  that  she  has  proved  herself  inspired  by  a  desire 
to  please  more  than  mere  mortals.  Perfect  harmony  exists  among  pastor,  leader  and  choir. 

It  is  impossible  to  give  a  full  list  of  persons  belonging  to  the  Choir,  during  all 
these  years,  for  the  membership  was  constantly  changing,  always  some  one  dropping 
out  and  others  joining  us.  Old  Choir  members  are  scattered  far  and  wide,  and  some  have 
attained  distinction  as  evangelistic  and  concert  singers.  In  the  course  of  the  years  the 
Choir  has  been  truly  blessed  by  the  assistance  of  pood  organists.  Those  filling  this  position 
have  been  Miss  ]  ,i/zic  Ilofman.  Miss  Mary  Spring,  Mrs.  Wm.  Cobbs,  Mrs.  W.  A.  Thomp- 
son, the  Misses  Ida  Clifl'e.  Alice  Nail.  Adah  Knoph,  Ethel  Spring,  Eli/.al>eth  Logan, 


D.  L.  EDMISTON 


18  HISTORICAL  SKETCH 

Effie  Hum,  Christmas  Gould,  Martha  Gould,  Bess  Wharf,  Lula  White  and  Francis 
Phillips. 

In  the  last  year  of  his  leadership,  or  about  1900,  Mr.  Shaw  organized  a  chorus 
of  young  voices.  This  organization  has  held  together,  and  under  the  direction  of  various 
leaders,  has  developed  into  our  efficient  night  chorus.  In  the  fifty-two  years  of  its  existence, 
the-Olney  Methodist  Episcopal  Choir  has  never  been  disorganized.  The  church  has  always 
had  a  Choir  ready  to  meet  all  requirements,  and  to  fulfill  all  demands.  Neither  have 
they  ever  called  on  the  Official  Board  for  pecuniary  help,  furnishing  their  own  music; 
and  their  work  being  purely  voluntary  their  service  has  heen  truly  a  service  of  love. 


The  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary 

Society 

By  Mrs.  E.  B.  Haseltine 

|  HE  Olney  auxiliary  of  the  W.  F.  M.  S.  of  the  M.  E.  Church  was  organized 

T\  \  in  the  early  70's,  but  owing  to  lack  of  interest  it  was  discontinued 
\\  and  the  records  were  lost.  It  was  re-organized  March  9,  1879,  with 
a  membership  of  thirty-five;  Mrs.  T.  F.  Houts  being  elected  president. 
As  far  as  we  can  learn  from  the  records  the  following  ladies  have 
served  as  president:  Mrs.  T.  F.  Houts,  Mrs.  Mary  Longwood,  Mrs. 
Cordelia  Phillips,  Mrs.  H.  Nail,  Mrs.  E.  B.  Haseltine,  Mrs.  M.  N.  Powers,  Mrs.  G.  D. 
Slanker,  Mrs.  Elma  Fahs  and  Mrs.  T.  A.  Fritchey. 

Our  auxiliary  is  increasing  in  interest  and  spirituality.  We  have  used  the  United 
Study  of  Missions  since  its  inception,  about  seven  years  ago,  and  a  number  of  the  "Woman's 
Friend"  are  taken  each  year.  We  hold  regular  meetings  the  first  Tuesday  of  each  month. 
Thank  offering  services  have  been  held  each  year  in  March.  We  also  give  a  Christmas 
offering  to  the  cause.  The  mite  box  offering  is  a  feature  of  the  September  meeting. 

Our  special  work  at  present  is  the  support  of  a  Bible  Woman  in  India,  and  we 
contribute  forty  dollars  per  year  to  the  day  school  in  Nan  Chang,  China.  The  sum  total 
raised  by  our  society  last  year  was  $240.  We  are  awakening  to  the  fact  that  "God  has 
given  us  the  heathen  for  an  inheritance." 

Through  the  efforts  of  some  of  the  ladies  of  our  society  the  Standard  Bearers, 
the  King's  Heralds  and  Little  Light  Bearers  have  been  organized.  The  King's  Heralds 
are  a  potential  factor  in  mission  work  in  our  own  local  church.  They  hold  regular  monthly 
meetings,  and  nearly  every  member  takes  a  copy  of  the  "Children's  Friend."  They  always 
give  liberally  to  some  special  work  aside  from  their  regular  dues.  This  year  they  have 
sent  $15  to  the  Industrial  Home  in  Mexico,  and  have  contributed  to  the  support  of  our 
beloved  Bertha  Creek,  who,  as  we  all  know,  is  the  Children's  Missionary  of  the  North- 
western Branch.  They  have  a  mite  box  opening  at  their  September  meetings.  In  fact, 
they  bid  fair  to  outshine  their  mother  society.  The  Little  Light  Bearers  have  the  same 
relation  to  our  society  that  the  "Cradle  Roll"  has  to  the  Sunday  School,  and  they  are 
in  line  with  the  other  societies. 

And  now  we  reverently  bow  our  heads,  and  ask  the  Giver  of  all  good  to  own  and 
bless  our  efforts. 

"Let  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us.  and  establish  thou  the  work 
of  our  hands." 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  19 

"If  you  and  I  today 

Should  stop  and  lay 
Our  life  work  down,  and  let  our  hands  fall  where  they  will, — 

Fall  down  to  lie  quite  still, — 
And  if  some  other  hand  should  come,  and  stoop  to  find 

The  threads  we  carried,  so  that  it  could  wind, 
Beginning  where  we  stopped;   if  it  should  come  to  keep 

Our  life  work  going, — seek 
To  carry  on  the  good  design, 

Distinctively  made  yours  or  mine, 
What  would  it  find? 


The  Standard  Bearers 

By  One  of  the  Members. 

;N  OCTOBER,  1897,  a   committee   composed   of    Mrs.    Lida    Fritchey, 
Mrs.  E.  B.  Haseltine  and    Mrs.    Elma    Fahs,    appointed    by  the  W. 
F.  M.  S.,  met  with  young  ladies  of  the  Church  and  organized   a   Young 
Ladies'    Foreign    Missionary    Society,  with    Miss    Florence  Edmiston 
as    president.     For   about  a  year  meetings  were  held  regularly    every 
month,  then  the  interest  decreased  until  the  society  gradually  died  out. 
In  January,  1900,  under  the  leadership  of  Mrs.  Fritchey,  the  Y.  W.  F.  M.  S.  was 
re-organized  and  Miss  Stearman  elected  president.     In  1901,  the  name  "Daughters  of 
the  Covenant,"  was  given  to  the  Society.    In  1904,  the  name  was  again  changed  to  The 
Standard  Bearers.     Missionary  leaflets  were  used  as  a  basis  of  study  for  a  time,  and 
later  books  on  Japan  and  African  missions. 

Our  pastor's  wife,  Mrs.  Robert  Morris,  is  now  supervisor  and  the  newly  elected 
officers  are:  President,  Ethel  Fitch;  First  Vice-President,  Lulu  Winans;  Recording 
Secretary,  Flosste  Christy;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Ethel  Peneton;  Treasurer,  Lura 
Bailey. 


Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society 

By  Mrs.  T.  M.  Wharf 

| HE  W.  H.  M.  S.  was  organized  during  the  spring  of  1900,  by  Mrs. 
Gegie,  of  Duluth,  Minn.,  one  of  the  National  Organizers  of  Home 
Missions.  A  few  months  later  the  society  was  re-organized  by  Miss 
Wood,  of  Sumner,  111.,  the  Conference  Organizer,  and  it  was  called 
the  Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society  of  Olney,  Auxiliary  to  the 
Southern  Illinois  Conference. 
The  Society  being  well  established  with  nineteen  charter  members,  the  following 

officers  were  elected:   Mrs.  J.  W.  Loy,  President;   Mrs.  M.  C.  McGriff,  Vice-President; 

Mrs.  T.  M.  Wharf,  Recording  Secretary  and  Treasurer;  Miss  Lela  Myers,  Corresponding 

Secretary. 


20  HISTORICAL  SKETCH 

Although  the  membership  was  small,  and  the  amount  of  supply  work,  dues  and 
money  from  all  sources  did  not  exceed  over  $47  for  the  remaining  conference  year,  yet 
the  Holy  Spirit  was  with  us  as  the  source  of  our  strength  when  opposition  arose  (from 
pulpit  and  pew)  bringing  us  out  more  than  conqueror;  and,  as  the  years  go  by  there  is 
a  steady  increase  in  membership,  finance  and  supply  work. 

In  March,  1909,  the  auxiliary  numbered  forty-three  active  members.  It  has  paid 
out  during  the  past  conference  year,  (1908)  $114.48  for  dues,  pledge  work,  supply  work 
and  scholarship.  Supplies  are  being  sent  to  a  great  many  homes,  including  a  Training 
School  for  Deaconesses,  and  also  to  our  precious  sister,  Bertha  Creek,  of  Darjeeling, 
India.  Boxes  of  supplies  are  also  sent  to  ministers  on  frontier  work — many  of  whom  are 
receiving  only  from  $150  to  $250  a  year,  while  others  are  laboring  without  promise  of  any 
certain  salary,  simply  trusting  day  by  day  for  their  daily  bread. 

The  amount  of  cash  for  local  work  is  quite  small,  but  a  great  deal  of  betiding, 
provisions  and  second  hand  garments  have  been  distributed.  Business  meetings  are  held 
once  a  month,  and  call  meetings  for  work  as  often  as  needed. 

We  feel  very  grateful  to  our  Heavenly  Father  for  leading  us  thus  far  safely,  and 
gratefully  appreciate  any  assistance  rendered  to  advance  the  work,  for  it  has  been  largely 
through  the  efforts  of  the  good  people  of  Olney  that  has  made  it  possible  to  bring  these 
results  to  pass. 


Queen  Esthers 

By  Lulu  Winans 


| HE  Queen  Esther  Circle  of  the  Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society 
of  the  M.  E.  Church  of  Gluey,  was  organized  by  Mrs.  Mabel  Hillish 
in  1903.  The  following  officers  were  elected:  President,  Lulu  Winans; 
First  Vice-President,  Minnie  Kramer;  Second  Vice- President, 
Margaret  Butler;  Corresponding  and  Recording  Secretary,  Blanche 
Everett.  The  first  regular  meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of  Mrs. 
D.  P.  Moore,  April  24th,  1903.  Mrs.  Moore  was  elected  Superintendent  or  Lady  Manager, 
which  office  she  has  faithfully  filled  to  the  present  time.  The  dues  are  sixty  cents  j)er  year. 
Meetings  are  held  once  a  month  for  the  purpose  of  studying  the  conditions  and  needs  of 
the  Indians,  Negroes,  Mountaineers,Mormons  and  Foreigners  in  our  country.  Special 
work  has  been  done  to  some  extent  to  aid  in  educating  these  people  so  that  they  may  live 
helpful  Christian  lives.  Money  has  been  raised  by  dues,  mite  boxes  and  sales  of  different 
kinds,  and  help  has  been  given  to  several  organizations  working  along  these  lines. 

In  1905  and  1906,  the  Queen  Esthers  organized  The  Mothers  Jewel  Band,  and 
these  little  ones,  too,  are  nobly  helping  with  the  good  work.  This  year  we  have  pledged 
$15  for  the  Rebecca  McCleskey  Home,  and  will  continue  to  do  what  we  can,  by  the  help 
of  God,  and  in  His  name  to  win  America  for  Christ. 


J.  W.  VANCLEVE,  D.  D. 


'AUNT  RHODA"  GADDIS 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  23 

Ep worth  League  Chapter  No.  1231 

By  Eudora  Ratcliffe 

JOTTO:    LOOK  UP.    LIFT  UP. 

-_    —.  ^i  Because    of    a    growing    need    among    Methodists  to  care  for 

/  Y  \  \\  their  yoimg  j>eople,  societies  of  various  names  were  springing  up 
over  the  country  having  primarily  the  same  object,  Christian  culture. 
Some  one  conceived  the  idea  of  union,  to  which  end  the  secretary  of 
the  Young  People's  Methodist  Alliance  of  St.  Joseph,  Michigan, 
began  correspondence  with  other  societies  resulting  in  a  representative  gathering  at 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  14,  1889.  Dr.  B.  F.  Dimmick,  pastor  of  the  church  where  the 
meetings  were  held,  says:  "The  meetings  were  exceedingly  interesting.  They  arose  at 
times  to  the  dramatic  in  excitement,  as  the  members  became  stirred  with  the  gravity  of 
the  question  under  discussion,  and  as  one  after  another  of  the  delegations  were  compelled 
to  surrender  some  particular  and  distinctive  feature  of  their  society.  It  was  mental  surgery 
without  an  anaesthetic,  •  but  it  was  inevitable,  and  it  was  beautiful  to  observe  how  the 
Christian  grace  of  charity  would  finally  arise  superior  to  selfishness  and  personal  or  party 
pride." 

After  two  days  spent  in  debate  and  comparison  of  views  it  was  decided  to  organize 
an  entirely  new  society.  Various  names  were  wanted,  the  one  chosen,  Epworth  League, 
being  a  slip  of  the  tongue,  in  speaking  of  Epworth  Hymnal  and  Oxford  league  by  one 
intending  to  prove  Oxford  League  would  be  best. 

In  no  other  than  a  body  of  Christian  workers  could  be  enacted  such  a  scene  as 
followed  the  adjournment.  "The  threatening  storm  cloud  that  had  hung  over  the  con- 
ference all  disapj>eared  and  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  had  arisen  over  the  assembly  with 
healing  in  his  wings  and  had  spoken  peace  to  the  storm-tossed  sea;  and  during  the  fina 
hours  of  the  last  session  a  perfect  calm  rested  upon  the  conference." 

From  the  history  of  the  Epworth  league  written  for  the  corner  stone  by  Mrs. 
George  Fitch,  the  following  dates  are  taken: 

"At  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  held  at  Omaha, 
Nebraska,  May  1892,  the  Epworth  league  was  officially  adopted  and  made  a  department 
of  our  church.  Previous  to  this  there  had  been  a  society  for  young  people  in  the  Olney 
Methodist  Church,  which  was  changed  to  "Epworth  League,"  September  10,  1889,  largely 
through  the  efforts  of  the  Pastor,  Rev.  Joseph  W.  Van  Cleve.  His  interest  in  the  Epworth 
League  and  success  in  establishing  it  upon  a  firm  foundation  cannot  be  appreciated 
wholly  even  by  those  of  us  closely  associated  with  him  in  the  work." 

The  first  president  was  Mrs.  Harry  Staufl'er,  and  the  chairman  of  the  department 
of  Christian  work  was  Edward  B.  Shaw,  whose  efficient  services  in  the  League  was  only 
severed  when  his  Heavenly  Father  called  him  home,  Among  other  invaluable  workers 
our  own  missionary,  Miss  Bertha  Creek,  ranks  high.  What  the  regular  meetings  have 
been  in  spiritual  development  of  the  young  people  is  shown  by  their  faithfulness  and 
consecration. 

While  the  League  has  never  been  a  money-making  society  many  supplies  have 
been  sent  to  different  homes  for  orphans;  teachers  have  been  supported  in  India;  our 
own  needy  helped  with  clothing  and  bedding;  money  paid  for  nurses  to  care  for  sick; 
thousands  of  visits  made  to  the  sick;  taking  flowers  and  delicacies  to  them;  the  pulpit 
has  been  supplied  with  flowers  and  funds  raised  for  church  improvements. 


24  HISTORICAL  SKETCH 

The  present  cabinet  is  composed  of:  President,  Mrs.  E.  B.  Shaw;  Vice-President, 
Spiritual  Department,  Josie  Richardson;  Vice-President  Department  of  World's  Evan- 
gelism, Lulu  Winans;  Vice- President  Mercy  and  Help  Department,  Mrs.  George  Fitch 
Vice-President  Literary  and  Social  Department,  Eudora  Ilatcliffe;  Secretary,  Mabel 
Eichen;  Treasurer,  Harry  Fitch. 

Tribute  should  be  paid  to  one,  "Aunt  Rhoda"  Gaddis,  whose  young  heart  enabled 
her  to  work  with  the  Leauge,  faithfully  in  her  own  way,  doing  invaluable  service  since 
the  organization  of  the  Epworth  League.  She  entered  eternal  rest  September  13,  1909. 
Most  appropriate  services  were  held  on  the  lawn  of  her  humble  dwelling  place,  conducted 
by  Rev.  Robert  Morris  and  Rev.  J.  W.  Cummins,  of  East  St.  Louis. 

The  Epworth  1,/eague  constitution  says:  "The  object  of  the  League  is  to  promote 
intelligent  and  loyal  piety  in  the  young  members  and  friends  of  the  Church,  to  aid  them 
in  the  attainment  of  purity  of  heart,  and  in  constant  growth  in  grace,  and  to  train  them 
in  works  of  mercy  and  help. 


Epworth  League  Juniors 

By  Mrs.  T.  A.  Fritchey 

|NE  of  the  most  promising  organizations  of  our  Church  is  the  Junior 
league.  Realizing  the  children  of  loday  are  the  Church  of  tomorrow, 
our  beloved  Methodism  is  giving  special  attention  to  the  training 
of  children.  The  Sunday  School  is  the  nursery  of  the  Church,  is 
for  instruction  in  a  given  portion  of  the  Bible  week  by  week.  The 
Junior  League  aims  to  supplement  this  institution  and  to  do  what 
the  school  has  not  the  time  to  do  during  the  Sunday  School  session — teach  Bible  history, 
Bible  geography,  books  of  the  Bible,  memorizing  scripture  and  hymns,  the  Creed,  the 
Catechism,  church  history,  etc.  But  it  also  attempts  imn-h  more.  Diligent  efforts  are 
made  to  lead  the  children  to  the  Savior  of  the  world;  and,  if  a  Christian  child,  to  develop 
and  enrich  his  Christian  life;  and  train  the  boys  and  girls  into  intelligent  Christians 
and  intelligent  Methodists. 

The  Junior  league  of  OIney  was  organized  October  1,  1891,  within  the  pastorate 
of  Rev.  Joseph  W.  Van  Cleve.  It  was  named  Simpson  Chapter  and  enrolled  at  Central 
office  No.  536.  The  first  records  are  missing.  Mrs.  Ashton  was  the  first  superintendent 
and  Miss  Florence  English  the  first  treasurer.  They  were  true  to  their  duty,  kept  the 
children  together  and  held  meetings  every  Saturday  afternoon. 

Early  in  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  C.  Nash,  Miss  Dora  Ilatcliffe  was  appointed  to 
take  the  place  of  the  former  superintendent  Because  of  illness  it  being  necessary  about 
a  year  later  to  make  a  change,  Brother  Nash  appointed  Mrs.  T.  A.  Fritchey  as  superinten- 
dent; Miss  Dora  Ratcliffe,  assistant;  and  two  teachers,  Miss  Lora  Sheperd  and  Miss 
Bertha  Creek,  now  missionary  to  India.  With  such  efficient  and  faithful  helpers  the  |>astor 
and  superintendent  saw  the  League  rapidly  growing  in  numbers  and  in  interest.  Meetings 
were  held  every  Sunday  afternoon.  Business  meetings  once  a  month. 

The  time  soon  came  when  it  was  necessary  to  have  the  League  divided  into  dojwirt- 
ments  and  an  officer  for  each  of  the  six  departments.  Ere  long  we  divided  into  classes, 
had  a  regular  course  of  study,  and  practical  Christian  work  enforced  in  its  numerous 
phases.  The  Master  used  every  agency  and  method,  and  officers  and  teachers  were  at 
times  suprised  at  the  growth  in  grace,  and  the  unfolding  of  religious  life  of  the  Juniors. 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  25 

Our  Juniors  have  varied  iu  age;  they  have  come  from  homes  abounding  in  plenty 
and  homes  destitute  and  cheerless,  but  they  are  real,  tender-hearted,  beautiful,  religious 
boys  and  girls.  The  children's  experiences  told  in  testimony  meetings  and  their  sentence 
prayers  are  often  novel  and  exceedingly  helpful,  and  .inspire  us  to  master  the  blessed  art 
of  the  true  ministry  to  children.  "Of  such  is  the  kingdom." 

Our  day  of  graduation  is  on  the  anniversary  of  the  Epworth  league,  when  public 
services  are  held  and  diplomas  awarded  to  the  children  who  have  reached  the  age  of  four- 
teen. Our  classes  bave  never  been  smaller  titan  twelve  nor  larger  than  nineteen  in  number. 
Today  many  of  our  graduates  are  the  most  active,  aggressive  and  generous  members 
of  our  Church;  active  in  the  Epworth  League;  many  are  teachers  in  the  Junior  I^eague 
and  Sunday  School;  one  is  leader  of  the  evening  choir;  one  the  treasurer  of  our  church; 
and  others  filling  positions  of  importance  in  the  Church.  Many  of  them  began  tithing 
when  children.  The  result  has  been  both  development  in  their  own  lives  and  material 
prosperity  of  the  Church. 

The  recording  angel  must  note  the  Mercy  and  Help  Department,  for  it  has  done 
much,  such  a  large  amount  of  local  work.  Boxes  of  fruit  and  candy,  flowers,  books, 
pictures,  baskets  of  clothing,  fuel,  groceries,  etc.,  have  found  their  way  into  homes  of  the 
sick  and  needy.  The  superintendent  and  teachers  have  only  to  suggest.  The  Juniors 
give  gladly  and  enthusiastically,  watching  for  opportunities  to  do  the  things  they  have 
been  learning. 

The  Junior  League  pledge: 

"I  do  hereby  promise,  by  the  help  of  God,  to  try  always  to  do  right,  to  pray  every 
day,  to  read  every  day  in  the  Word  of  God,  to  abstain  from  the  use  of  tobacco,  and  all 
intoxicating  liquor." 

The  officers  are:  Superintendent,  Mrs.  Robert  Morris;  President,  Ruth  Winans; 
First  Vice-President,  Hattie  Dewhirst;  Second  Vice- President,  Ruth  Murray;  Third 
Vice- President,  Blanche  Archibald;  Fourth  Vice-President,  I^eone  Pixley;  Secretary, 
Esther  Rogers;  Treasurer,  Margaret  Falconer. 

Enrollment,  Seventy-six. 

The  last  verse  of  our  Junior  League  song  expresses  the  sentiment  of  the  members: 
"Ixmg  may  our  league  remain, 
Long  may  we  love  its  name, 
Its  truths  make  known. 

The  motto  that  we  love, 
'Look  up,  Lift  up,'  shall  prove 
A  prayer  our  hearts  to  move 
To  God's  own  throne." 


26  HISTORICAL  SKETCH 

The  Guild 

By  Mrs.  J.  F.  Jolly 

[HE  M.  E.  Guild,  of  which  this  is  to  be  a  brief  history,  was  organized 
from  the  old  societies  of  the  Methodist  Church,  known  respectively 
as  follows:  First,  the  Aid  Society,  afterwards  the  Sewing  Circle  and 
lastly,  the  Church  Building  Association.  Of  those  bodies  the  writer 
wishes  to  speak  before  giving  an  account  of  the  work  of  the  Guild. 

The   books   date   back   only   as   far  as  1895,  but  the  women  of 

the  Church  had  met  at  intervals  long  before  that  date,  had  sewed,  had  given  public  dinners 
and  worked  energetically — if  spasmodically.  By  the  women  of  the  Church  is  meant, 
first  one  little  gathering  and  then  another,  but  through  it  all  one  or  two  were  always  so 
faithful  they  deserve  special  mention. 

Foremost  among  these  was  Miss  Carrie  Ratcliffe ;  not  that  she  made  herself  a  leader, 
but  the  fact  that  she  was  always  willing,  always  patient  and  always  at  her  post,  caused 
her  to  be  selected  as  directress  of  the  Sewing  Circle.  Hers  was  always  the  self-appointed 
task  of  completing  unfinished  work  and  the  taking  of  extra  orders  for  work  between 
meetings.  Her  loyalty  to  the  work  and  her  never  failing  good  humor,  endeared  her  to 
the  entire  Society  which,  aside  from  a  few  faithful  ones,  consisted  mostly  of  a  floating 
membership. 

Airs.  Nellie  Phillips,  Mrs.  J.  1.  Moutrey,  Mrs.  Knoph  and  many  others  did  faithful 
and  unassuming  work  in  the  days  of  that  Society.  Mrs.  A.  L.  Redman  was  a  capable 
leader  from  the  time  of  her  election  as  president  in  1895  to  the  date  of  re-organization, 
which  took  place  at  her  home  and  at  her  solicitation  on  November  23,  1897,  being  the 
christening  of  the  new  M.  E.  Ladies  Guild,  which  was  organized  and  so  named  on  that 
date.  Some  outsiders  were  asked  to  attend  this  meeting,  one  of  whom  was  elected  president. 
The  following  is  a  list  of  officers  as  elected  November  23,  1897:  Mrs.  John  F.  Jolly, 
President;  Mrs.  A.  L.  Redman,  Vice-President;  Mrs.  Andrews,  Secretary;  Mrs.  J.  L. 
Zook,  Treasurer. 

At  the  first  meeting  thereafter,  Mrs.  Andrews  resigned  the  secretaryship,  and  Mrs. 
E.  B.  Shaw  was  elected  to  fill  her  place.  The  M.  E.  Ladies'  Guild  now  took  up  the  church 
work  in  earnest.  Finances  were  discussed  and  the  members  were  asked  to  each  earn  a 
dollar  and  hand  in  at  a  given  date.  The  first  dollar  to  come  into  the  new  organization 
was  presented  by  George  Elizabeth  Jolly,  who  at  that  time  was  a  little  girl  eleven  years 
old.  She  earned  it  by  making  butterscotch  and  selling  it.  The  Guild  denounced  the 
plans  of  former  societies  of  buying  material,  sewing  it  up  and  selling  it  at  so  little  real 
profit.  They  embarked  in  new  waters,  took  up  new  plans  of  making  money,  one  of  the 
first  ventures  being  the  compiling  and  publishing  of  a  cook  book.  It  was  decided  for 
reasons  of  policy  to  call  this  the  Olney  Cook  Book  in  preference  to  the  Methodist  as  was 
first  suggested.  The  work  on  this  was  driven  unceasingly  until  the  publication  in  July, 
1898.  The  first  lot  of  five  hundred  sold  so  readily  a  second  edition  followed,  and  finally 
a  third  edition.  This  money  coming  in  almost  constantly  was  a  great  help  in  Guild  work. 

This  organization  tried  many  new  and  unique  ways  of  making  money,  the  most 
successful  being  an  Emporium,  run  at  great  expense  on  Main  Street.  However,  as  the 
members  took  turns  at  clerking,  the  sum  of  $475.00  was  realized,  above  all  expenses. 
Many  other  new  ideas  were  tried,  some  of  which  were  criticized  by  a  few.  But  many 
of  the  pillars  in  the  Church,  including  the  trustees,  were  most  loyal  in  their  appreciation 
of  the  financial  efforts  of  the  Guild. 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  27 

Also,  let  us  sj>eak  here  of  the  loving  helpfulness  of  Rev.  J.  W.  Cummins  during  his 
pastorate.  The  knowledge  of  his  approval,  of  his  confidence  in  their  ability,  and  of  his 
faith  in  their  motives  being  for  the  right,  was  always  uplifting  to  the  workers  in  the  Guild. 
He  expected  great  things  of  them  and  it  was  their  ambition  to  come  up  to  the  expectations 
of  the  pastor  and  trustees  of  the  church. 

Women  and  men  are  only  God's  children  and  like  other  and  smaller  children  they 
are  more  easily  led  to  their  highest  achievements  by  encouragement^and  sympathy  than 
by  harsh  criticism. 

To  return  to  the  Guild  and  its  work.  The  first  piece  of  property  bought  was  the 
corner  of  Elm  and  Fair,  for  the  sum  of  $1550.00,  from  Mr.  J.  F.  Haytt.  Mr.  Hyatt's 
price  was  $1650.00,  but  he  generously  donated  $100.00  to  the  Guild.  Afterward  the  prop- 
erty known  as  the  Boffenmyer  place  was  purchased  for  $1000.00.  On  this  was  a  cottage 
and  barn,  the  cottage  the  Guild  moved  to  the  back  of  the  Hyatt  place  for  renting,  and 
donated  the  Boffenmyer  lot  to  the  Church  for  a  parsonage  site,  on  which  the  parsonage 
now  stands.  Soon  after  the  old  Lutheran  Church,  standing  between  the  Hyatt  corner 
and  Boffenmyer  place,  was  bought  for  $850.00,  and  the  debt  assumed  by  the  Guild.  By 
hard  work  and  constant  alertness  the  Guild  paid  off  that  amount  and  all  other  indebtedness 
thus  presenting  the  Church  with  ground  (including  the  parsonage  site)  at  a  cost  of  $3,400. 
In  addition  to  this  sum  the  organization  has  given  $2,000.00,  to  the  new  church  building, 
having  paid  $1,000.00  of  it  down,  and  pledged  the  other  thousand  to  be  made  in  payments. 

The  books  show  many  hundred  dollars  paid  out  as  taxes,  insurance  and  repairs 
on  property.  All  this,  while  perhaps  overlooked  by  the  Church,  all  meant  a  continuous 
money  earning  on  the  part  of  the  Guild.  The  building  of  the  new  church  in  reality  is 
the  achievement  of  the  Guild's  ambition,  but  the  members  are  as  keenly  alive  to  money 
making  as  they  ever  were  in  the  past,  realizing  that  after  the  few  payments  it  will  take 
to  pay  off  the  promises  made,  other  matters  are  sure  to  come  up  in  the  way  of  church 
furnishings,  etc. 

The  good  will  to  continue  earning  money  is  evident  at  every  meeting,  the  social 
nature  of  which  is  a  strong  factor  in  keeping  up  the  business  relations  and  rendering 
them  interesting.  Our  ex-deaconess,  Miss  Etta  Mae  Powell  (now  Mrs.  Schwind,  of 
Vandalia)  paid  the  Guild  the  highest  compliment  possible-  when  she  wrote  of  her  pleasure 
in  meeting  with  its  members  and  added:  "I  consider  the  M.  Y,.  Ladies'  Guild  of  Olney 
the  finest  organization  I  have  ever  known  in  any  Church."  This  tribute  is  doubly  dear 
coming  from  one  of  her  position  and  standing  in  the  Church. 

The  secret  of  the  social  side  of  the  Guild  as  well  as  the  financial  success  is  summed 
up  in  one  word,  "Harmony."  Never  has  there  been  one  unseemly  falling  out  or  a  bitter 
feeling  expressed  at  meetings.  The  members  have  pulled  together  and  worked  with  one 
purpose  and  for  one  end. 

Six  times  death  has  entered  the  fold  and  the  workers  paused  and  realized  that 
others  must  step  in  and  help  finish  the  work  begun.  The  following  members  have  passed 
away  since  1897:  Flora  Adams  Byer,  Mrs.  G.  I).  Slanker,  Miss  Carrie  Ratcliffe,  Mrs. 
Peter  Burnes,  Mrs.  Eleanor  Elliott  and  Mrs.  A.  J.  White. 

The  present  pastor,  Rev.  Robert  Morris,  has  been  and  is  all  that  is  most  helpful 
and  encouraging  to  the  Guild,  filling  the  place  of  counselor  and  friend.  In  him  is  a 
combination  but  seldom  found  in  one  man,  a  thoroughly  consecrated  Christian  character, 
deeply  and  earnestly  devoted  to  his  work  and  at  the  same  time  broadly  charitable  toward 
all  and  keenly  alive  to  innocent  joy  and  amusement,  thus  endearing  himself  to  all  who 
meet  him  in  church  work.  Adding  to  this  his  pleasant  smile  and  ever  cordial  manner 
and  we  have  the  personality  of  the  ideal  pastor. 


28  HISTORICAL  SKETCH 

The  litest  work  of  the  Guild  was  the  otganixing,  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  H.  C.  Falconer, 
of  the  Auxiliary  of  the  Guild,  to  be  known  as  the  "Daughters  of  the  Guild."  This  body  is 
composed  of  the  daughters  of  the  members  of  the  Guild.  They  are  to  be  helj>ers  and 
work  in  conjunction  with  the  Guild.  September  28,  1909,  was  the  date  of  the  organization 
and  the  following  officers  were  elected:  George  Jolly  McMahon,  President;  Mary 
Kllen  Page,  Vice-President;  Kate  Falconer,  Secretary;  Eugenia  Powers,  Treasurer. 

The  other  charter  members  are  Lillie  Zook,  Cleo  Ryan  Redman,  Kathrina  Powers, 
Helen  Hoggins  and  Francis  Phillips.  At  present  the  duties  of  the  Auxiliary  will  be  light 
but  new  work  will  develop  and  early  training  will  enable  them  to  meet  it.  The  Guild 
considers  the  new  Auxiliary  the  most  important  factor  in  its  history.  It  was  a  beautiful 
thought,  to  thus  bring  in  the  grand  daughters  of  many  of  the  old  time,  staunch  church 
members,  and  to  secure,  through  them,  young  life  and  energy  for  the  great  work  of  the 
future. 


C.  F.  Mclaughlin  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  Olney,  III. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 


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